Multistage reel



Feb. 17, 1953 MCLELLAN 2,628,411

MULTISTAGE REEL Filed Nov. 20, 1947 A as CON w H) mcu I N a II I O IOI I T |/\lJ m :LO l r M 1 a v m KENNETH MC LELLAN E lNV NTOR 1 BY flux ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1953 MULTISTAGE REEL Kenneth M. McLellan, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 20, 1947, Serial N 0. 787,148

2 Claims. (Cl. 28-7L7) This invention relates to reels for advancing thread or the like, particularly to a thread advancing reel whereon a plurality of processing steps can be performed.

Reels embodying the principles disclosed in the 1 Knebusch Patent No. 2,210,914 have been found to be advantageous in the continuous manufacture of filamentary material such as rayon thread, or the like. Such reels comprise generally two reel elements whose peripheries are formed of pluralities of longitudinally extending bar members. The bar members are interleaved, and as they rotate on axes that are offset and askew, the thread or the like is advanced in a plurality of generally helical turns over the reel periphery. Where only two elements form a thread advancing reel, then such a reel has been adapted generally to a single processing step. Where it is desired to perform a plurality of processing operations on a single reel, it has been found advantageous to construct the reel so that it has a plurality of eccentric members.

Such a reel upon which a plurality of steps can be performed is disclosed in the Lovett Patent No. 2,167,662. This reel, however, does not provide for a circular adjustment of the ofiset and askew axes about which the eccentric reel members rotate to enable changes in their position for. an improved advancement of the thread. The eccentric reel members in the Lovett patent are mounted upon axes having the same general direction and inclination along the entire length of the reel, that is the inclined axes lie substantially in the same plane. Such a positioning of the eccentric reel members tends to distort the thread helix as it travels from the one eccentric reel member of the reel to the next.

This invention advantageously provides for a reel whereon a plurality of processing stages can be performed without substantial distortion of the thread helix. Substantially uniform travel of the thread over a reel having a plurality of reel members is efiected by a proper arrangement of the eccentric and skewed members by circularly arranging them in a longitudinal direction so that their axes do not lie in the same general direction but may have the same inclination. A desired thread transfer position from one section of the reel'to another can readily, empirically, be determined by a rotation of the axes of the eccentric reel members. The axes, for best thread travel, are arranged in nonparallel planes. Also, means are provided after such an advantageous arrangement of the reel member axes to lock them in their position 15 comprises at least four individual reel members against any subsequent dislodgement. Further, by circularly arranging the eccentric reel member axes one after another in a series relation there will be provided as many individualized processing stages as desired.

The reel of the invention is described in greater detail in the following specification and the accompanying drawing. where: Figure 1 is a plan view of the multiple stage reel; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the reel of Figure 1; and Figures 3 and 4 represent aform of locking means utilized for securing the eccentric reel member axes. Referring to the drawing the multi-stage reel It, H, l2 and I3 respectively. A lesser or a reater number of reel members can be utilized. if so desired, the final number being dependent on the number of stages required. or the four reel members, reel member II] has a periphery of a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members I 5 of a continuous length. Interleaved with the bar members I5 of reel member are shorter bar members l6, l1 and 18 of the three eccentrically mounted reel members ll, I2, and I3 arranged in substantially an end-to-end relation. The total length of the bar members of the eccentric reel members equals substantially the length of the bar members of the concentric reel member.

A common shaft 20 supports all of the reel members. Reel member ID is concentrically mounted about the shaft and is fixed to it by means of a set screw 22 which is threaded through the reel hub 23. The hub 23 through radially extending members 24, supports one end of the reel member 10. The other end is supported by a flange 25 into which the bar members l5 merge. Flange 25 is, in turn, secured to a hub 21, which rotates about a stationary sleeve 29, by means of bolts 28. Further, the hub 21 rotates on an anti-friction bearing which is concentrically mounted about the reel supporting sleeve 29 and the shaft 20. The supporting sleeve 29 is desirably flanged at one end to provide a means by which it can be mounted on the face of a processing machine (not shown) and thus support the reel. Lateral displacement of the hub 21 is prevented by a shoulder 43 of the sleeve 29 and a collar 44 which has a set screw threaded through it to bear against the sleeve Within the sleeve 29 and fixed thereto against rotation there is provided for substantially the full length of the shaft 20 an anti-friction bearthe eccentrics by means of spring retaining rings- The eccentrics 46, 41, and 4B are arranged in end-to-end relation on the sleeve 5'0-with ,however, spacing collars 49 inbetween them; After the eccentrics have been properly positioned, their rotation from such predetermined positions,-.rela,- tive to the shaft and their mountings, is prevented by serration of ends of the eccentrics and collars, especially at abutting points. The serrations, shown Eigures Kand-A, advanta eously, will permit; rctation of the eccentricsl; 12019. desired position, andzthen-ihold'ithe entire --asse-mbly against circular displacement: Heretoforel no rotational adjustment of theeccentricmembers H s m ided and ft-he .threador the like? advanced over; at plcrality; of.permanently-fixedzaxesl The l of ot-hi rwinven ionai-n r .l.-o. i he-aforesaid sc osu e,- crovides' ona a yantae oussa ius mer i he e nt amem ers ta herebv; iliateothr advtrav l cv rthe reel-1 I-claim-x r 1. A thread-advancing reel comprising a..-.sta- 'tionary reel support, ashaftpositioned in said support, areel memberconcentrically positioned,

about. said --shaft and having a plurality; of; longitudinally extendingbar members, a plurality,- of eccentric v sleeves .and spacing collars positioned about said shaft} inlanfiabutting, relation -said spacing collars being positionedbetween each pair of said eccentric sleeves the axesloflsaid sleeves being eccentric to the axis of said shaftl means for preventing. rotation of said eccentric/sleeves ndm m el o achlotherandcsaid. un:

port, said means including serrated end surfaces of said support and eccentric sleeves and collars, and a plurality of reel members having longitudinally extending bar members positioned for rotation about said stationarily held eccentric sleeves, said plurality of reel members being din posed in an end-to-end relation and their bar members being in an alternate relation with the bar members of concentrically positioned reel member.

2. A thread-advancing reel comprising, a sta tionary reel support, a shaft positioned in said support, a reel member concentrically positioned about said shaft and'having a plurality'of longi- 'tudinally-extending bar members, a plurality of eccentric sleeves positioned about said shaft in a series relation the axes of said sleeves being off-set and askew to the axis of said shaft, spacing collars positioned between each pair of said eccentric sleeves, means for preventing rotation ofgsaid eccentric sleeves and the spacing. collars 1813131Vfi1l70 each other. and said support, said means: including serratedrend surfaces of said support and spacing collars findeccentric sleeves, and a plurality of reel members-having longitudinally extending -bar members pcsiticrred' for: rota- .tion. aboutrsaid stationarily; held eccentric sleeves, said pluralityof reel members beingj disposedin an-,end-to-end relation and their bar members beinginanalternate relationto the bar members oi said concentrically positioned reel 1 member.

MCLELLAN.

REFERENCES CITED/ The. 2 following references are :of 1 record in the UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Mayner l Mar. 29,1949 

